Great Return: New wave of former IDPs returns to Kalbajar, Khojavand, Jabrayil

A new group of formerly displaced persons has departed for resettlement in territories liberated from occupation, in line with instructions from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

At this stage, 27 families (118 people) have been relocated to the city of Kalbajar, 41 families (138 people) to Khojavand, and 40 families (196 people) to the village of Khorovlu in Jabrayil district, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The resettled residents had previously lived temporarily in various regions of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

Returnees expressed gratitude for the comprehensive state support to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. They also thanked the Azerbaijani army, soldiers, and officers who liberated the territories from occupation and honoured the memory of those who lost their lives in the process.

Among them, Sara Aliyeva, returning to Khorovlu, recalled leaving her village at age 22 and now returning at 55 with eight grandchildren. 

"After our lands were liberated from occupation, I visited Jabrayil once. I longed for it deeply. My native land is something completely different. When we became displaced, I had four children; now I am returning with eight grandchildren," S. Aliyeva shared.

Similarly, Gulshan Guliyeva, resettling in Garadagly, Khojavand, described the return as one of the happiest moments of her life.

"I am overjoyed. May Allah grant our president a long life and bless our martyrs and veterans. Today, we are honoured to come back to our homeland," she stated.

By Jeyhun Aghazada